Netherlands came from behind to beat ten-man Brazil 2-1 on Friday as Kolkata FIFA FEVER lost the Heat and Bengalies Bank on Argentina !Whereas Quiet satisfaction in Asia about WCup
Indian Holocaust My father`s Life and Time- four Hundred Eight
Palash Biswas
http://indianholocaustmyfatherslifeandtime.blogspot.com/
Until this evening Kolkata was vertically divided in Brazil and Argentina. India is far behind in FIFA Ranking and has no chance to qualify for world cup finals, but the Media Hype overlapped IPL Carnival and Strategic Marketing of consumer goods got the Momentum. Bengalies indulged themselves in Football forgetting the Eternal Hegemony Politics which has created Civil War situation in Bengal. Had it been Brazil versus Aregentina in the FIFA Final, it would have been a RIOT other than the Political one ongoing. Bengali PRINT and electronic media sent reprentatives to south Asia and most of the SPACE has been dedicated to CRICKET. So much so that the Darling LIENDER in Wimibledon is forgotten. No one noticed Saina nehawal or Vishwanthan Anand achieving Magically to hoist Indian Flag. PARA Fotball is evented with much fan fare as the participant teams are named after FIFA finalist teams! Bengal has nothing to do with Petro Prices or OBC headcount! No inflation, Fiscal Policy or Economic ethnic Cleansing may draw attention these days as the First Pages have all the Space in Heaven for MARADONA, PELE, DUNGA, MESSI, KAKA and so on.
Meanwhile, Suchitra Sen, the legendary Bengali actress, reported to have admitted in a private nursing home in Kolkata owing to chest infection and breathlessness.Bengalies are mad about Rabindra, Uttam, Ray and Suchitra Sen.But Kolkat chose to be detached this time.
The 79-year-old was admitted at the Intensive Therapy Unit, the Bellevue Clinic. According to the nursing home, Suchitra Sen was admitted with respiratory distress in the intensive therapy unit due to chest infection. She is responding to therapy and her condition is stable now.
The actress is expected to be discharged in a day or two.
Sen said to have been admitted to the nursing home on June 20th.
Popularly known as the Greta Garbo of Indian cinema, is mother of actress Moon Moon Sen and grand mother of Riya and Raima Sen.
I was also a Fan of Brazil since 1970 thanks to Dainik Basumati which we used to read at home in Basantipur. The film GREAT Escape made me a follower of Pele. Then, the magic performances of a Slum Dog MARADONA caught my imagination and though I never supported Argentina, I did like MARADONA. I wrote a short story on Mradona drugaddicted and ousted form world Cup, ASHAREEREE.
But this time, I had been supporting the afican teams being aware of the APARTHEID. I insisted that the Monopoly should be broken. I was shocked to see Japan ousted and finally put my stakes on Ghana as all other Asian and african teams departed.
Even today, my friends supporting Brazil were dismissing Holland and claiming Brazil as most Compact team. The Argentine supporters in Kolkata would NEVER Believe that Argentina should be defeated!
Wesley Sneijder headed a second-half winner as Netherlands came from behind to beat ten-man Brazil 2-1 on Friday and book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.While Asia's World Cup is over, the world's largest continent is quietly satisfied with its performance in South Africa.Asia sent four teams to South Africa and two -- South Korea and Japan -- made the second round for the first time at a World Cup held abroad. Both of them advanced in 2002, when they co-hosted the World Cup, and South Korea got to the semifinals.
Germany coach Joachim Loew will not be bothering with "motivational tricks" before Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with Argentina -- his team is already pumped-up enough.
Dunga admitted he would have to take the rap for Brazil's World Cup heartbreak after his four-year reign as head coach ended with a quarter-final defeat at the hands of the Netherlands.
"We are all responsible for this situation but I have the greatest responsibility," Dunga said after his ten-man side went down to a shock 2-1 defeat that ended any hope he may have harboured of winning an extension of his stay in the post.
The five-times world champions appeared to be coasting towards the last four after Robinho fired them into an early lead and his players generated a string of first-half chances.
But the Dutch turned the match around after the interval thanks to an own goal from Felipe Melo, who was later sent off for stamping on Arjen Robben, and a Wesley Sneijder header.
"We are all extremely saddened, we did not expect this," Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning captain added.
"We knew it would be a delicate, difficult game. In the first half we played better than in the second but we were were not able to maintain the same rhythm.
"We could not maintain the same level of concentration. Any World Cup match is 90 minutes and it is the small details that count."
Dunga declined to criticise either Melo or goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who was at fault on the Dutch equaliser.
"Felipe Melo was sent off but it not the first time that has happened in a World Cup match," the coach said. "We are all responsible."
Dunga's contract with Brazil expires after this tournament and he appeared to hold out no hope of being offered a new deal that would enable him to lead the national team into the next World Cup, which Brazil will host.
"I was contracted for four years and we knew that from the start," he said.
"During the last four years I have been very happy to coach this Brazilian team and if you look at the players faces you would understand how they feel.
"I am very proud of these players and the dignified way they represented the country."
Dunga rejected a suggestion that he had failed to prepare his players for the possibility that they might fall behind in a match, but he acknowledged that a degree of anxiety had crept into their play once the momentum in the match swung against them.
"We never prepare a team to lose, you always prepare a team to win," he said. "This nervousness surfaced because we were losing, passes started to go astray, balls were miscontrolled.
"But you cannot question the commitment of these players to the national team.
"If you look at history it is very infrequent for a team to play for 50 days in a row without anyone complaining. We were together for 52 days and there was no controversy."
Brazil coach Dunga has taken the blame for the Selecao's exit from the World Cup and has refused to criticise any of his players.
Brazil crashed out of the World Cup on Friday afternoon after the Netherlands defeated them 2-1 in the quarter-finals at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The Brazilians led 1-0 at the break thanks to an early strike from Robinho but a Felipe Melo own-goal and a Wesley Sneijder header in the second session saw the Oranje through. Melo was also sent off in the 73rd minute.
Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference, Dunga accepted all responsibility for the defeat.
"Without doubt we all are very sad. We didn't expect that. We worked to have a better result. But we knew it was going to be a hard match. We had a good first half and it got worse in the second half.
"We could not maintain the same focus of the first half. Unfortunately, we didn't achieve our main goal but as you said, we got some good results during the past four years. I feel proud to have been the commander of this team, of these players.
"Playing with 10 players in the World Cup is very difficult. We were saying at the break that the referee was being too pressurised. But it's not an excuse.
"The commander is responsible, and all the decisions I've made was for the good of the Selecao. I respect the work of the press and I think we didn't do anything too different from the other teams here."
Dunga also hinted that he could step down as coach.
"Gilberto Silva's performance, if you take the FIFA stats, he is one of the most regular players. I'm not going to hold Melo responsible. There were other players who received red cards in the World Cup and we win and lose matches together.
As for my future, I have said already that my tenure was for four years."
"Nobody prepares the team to lose. Of course we got nervous with the turnaround but with the commitment that those players had without any complaints from them, it's obvious that the players saw this World Cup as the opportunity of their lives. So they got nervous during the match," he concluded.
Arguably the tournament's two most exciting teams so far go up against each other in Cape Town on Saturday for a spot in the last four with Germany's Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil looking fit to play.
Both took part in the afternoon training, as did striker Cacau, who had been nursing an abdominal muscle strain but could still be ruled fit for that match.
"We will not be shivering in the changing rooms, hoping the referee will not start the game," Germany coach Joachim Loew told reporters.
"I know that in matches like these, against England (in the round of 16) and Argentina, I do not really have to help the players with any motivational tricks.
"They are all fully motivated and when we walk on to the pitch they will be ready," Loew said of Germany's youngest squad since 1934, average age around 25.
Michael Ballack, who was injured weeks before the World Cup and had to pull out, visited the team at their hotel and the training session, sitting briefly on the team bench.
"The team is playing superbly and is in harmony," former captain Ballack said, predicting a 3-2 Germany win.
The 50-year-old coach also played down a war of words that had erupted in the past days with German players calling the Argentines unfair, disrespectful and bad losers.
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger and captain Philipp Lahm had been referring to their 2006 World Cup quarter-final win over Argentina on penalties which sparked a post-match brawl involving players, coaches and team officials from both sides.
NOT BRUTAL
"There is freedom of opinion in my team. If you ask me, I think that game was at no moment brutal or unfair until after the penalties.
"It was tightly contested but not marked by unfairness. Argentines have passion and commitment and that is their mentality and we have to prepare for that. The problem in 2006 started after the game was decided," Loew said.
He said he expected Argentina to continue playing their offensive game just like Germany would.
"It is not part of (Argentine coach Diego Maradona's) mentality to play defensively," he said.
"When you have seen him on the bench he powers his team forward and as a player he never really thought about defense.
"Argentina will be deadly dangerous in attack and will look to score and I cannot imagine that they will come out with more respect and fear," he said.
Brazil, the five-times champions, took a 10th minute lead in the quarter-final clash through Robinho and dominated the first-half against a Dutch team which initially looked outclassed.
But the Dutch levelled out of the blue in the 53rd minute after a rare mistake from Brazil's usually impenetrable defence, as Felipe Melo headed Sneijder's cross into his own goal.
Then Sneijder headed a winner as the Dutch avenged a quarter-final defeat in 1994 and a semi-final defeat four years later.
Felipe Melo, returning from an ankle injury which kept him out of the second round match against Chile, set up the first goal after 10 minutes.
He threaded a 30-metre pass through the Dutch midfield and Robinho timed his run perfectly to score with a first-time shot past Maarten Stekelenburg.
The game turned niggly, although Brazil managed to produced a some flowing moves and should have extended their lead.
Juan volleyed over from close range after a jinking run on the right by Dani Alves and Stekelenburg produced a superb one-handed save to tip away Kaka's curling effort, following a dazzling Robinho run down the left.
Just before halftime, Maicon fired into the side-netting after Luis Fabiano rolled the ball into his path.
The Dutch rarely threatened with Arjen Robben far too predictable to outfox the Brazil rearguard.
But they levelled out of the blue eight minutes after the break when Felipe Melo touched Sneijder's looping cross-shot into his own net.
Kaka missed an excellent chance to put Brazil back ahead, side-footing wide from the edge of the area after the ball was gifted to him by a poor clearance.
They paid dearly in the 68th minute when Dirk Kuyt flicked on Arjen Robben's corner at the near post and Sneijder headed into the net.
Ghana and Uruguay each has its most influential forward fit for the teams' World Cup quarterfinal.
Ghana's Asamoah Gyan will start at Johannesburg's Soccer City after recovering from the ankle injury he sustained in his match-winning performance in a 2-1 second-round victory against the United States.
Diego Forlan is key to Uruguay's three-man attack but his preparation was hampered by a damaged toe.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac introduced defender Isaac Vorsah and midfielder Sulley Muntari, replacing suspended pair Jonathan Mensah and Andre Ayew.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez chose midfielder Alvaro Fernandez to come in for midfielder Alvaro Pereira, and defender Mauricio Victorino to replace Diego Godin, who aggravated a thigh injury in a 2-1 second-round win against South Korea.
Ghana is seeking to become the first African team ever to reach a World Cup semifinal.
Uruguay last reached the semifinals 40 years ago, but is a two-time champion with victories in 1930 and '50.
The winner plays the Netherlands in Cape Town next Tuesday.
Lineups:
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Mauricio Victorino, Jorge Fucile, Maximiliano Pereira, Alvaro Fernandez, Diego Perez, Egidio Arevalo, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan.
Ghana: Richard Kingson, Hans Sarpei, John Pantsil, John Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan.
Shortly afterwards, Felipe Melo was sent off for stamping on Robben.
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In many ways for Asia as a whole, it was a case of mission accomplished, especially after the disappointing performance of 2006 when all four Asian teams didn't make it out of the group stage.
There were concerns heading into the tournament that expected strong performances by the six African teams in the continent's first World Cup could put pressure on Asia's number of slots at future World Cups.
But two Asian teams progressed and only one African team managed did so, perhaps giving Asian soccer more respect around the world.
Japan was eliminated by Paraguay in a penalty kicks shootout, while South Korea stayed with Uruguay before falling on a late goal in a 2-1 loss.
"Both nations showed the world that Asia is improving step by step," Japan's 2002 World Cup coach Philippe Troussier told the AP in a telephone interview. "Both teams were very good, especially with free kicks. Half of Japan's goals and three of Korea's came from free kicks. In this respect, Asia led the way at the World Cup."
In seven previous World Cups, South Korea went past the first stage in that memorable 2002 tournament. Now though, captain Park Ji-sung believes its performance in South Africa demonstrates the potential of the entire Asian continent.
"For now Asian football is improving more and more," the Manchester United midfielder said. "We must show the world that Asian teams are not weak teams. We are getting better and better, and one day we can beat some of the great teams."
Japan arrived in South Africa with a string of poor results in warmup matches, but an opening win over Cameroon silenced the critics, then a 3-1 victory over Denmark moved the Japanese into the second round.
"This Japanese team is based on a solid and collective defense in which everybody knows exactly what to do," said Arsene Wenger, coach of Arsenal. "When they get the ball they can give it to Honda and the magic starts. When they get that genius Honda playing up front, he has shown what a top-class player he is."
Australia, which made the round of 16 representing Oceania in 2006, did not advance from the group stage on goal differential in its first World Cup appearance as a member of the Asian confederation. A 4-0 loss to Germany in their opener did in the Aussies.
The main disappointment for Asia was North Korea.
After a bright start against Brazil in a 2-1 loss, the team was routed 7-0 by Portugal and finished with a 3-0 loss to Ivory Coast.
Midfielder An Yong Hak reflected on the World Cup after the final match.
"We went into this game knowing there was a big difference in the level of playing," he said. "Still, playing on the same field with them, bumping into them, it was a good experience. A very good experience."
HONORED: Japan defender Yuichi Komano, whose missed penalty kick led to his country's exit from the World Cup, will receive a special award from his home state.
Yoshinobu Nisaka, the governor of Wakayama state, told reporters Friday he would present Komano with a special award for "giving people dreams and emotions."
After playing to a 0-0 draw with Paraguay, Japan lost 5-3 in the shootout when Komano sent his shot too high and it bounced off the crossbar. It was the only miss in the shootout.
Japan surprised many at the World Cup by beating Cameroon and Denmark in group matches before losing to Paraguay in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
NOT READY TO HANG IT UP: Spain defender Carles Puyol may keep playing international soccer after the World Cup.
The 32-year-old Barcelona defender says he hasn't made a decision on his future despite previous reports he would retire from the national team after the tournament.
Puyol told Friday's edition of Spanish sports daily AS that he will speak with coach Vicente del Bosque before deciding whether to help Spain defend its European Championship in 2012.
Puyol has scored twice in 87 appearances for Spain since his debut in 2000.
Spain meets Paraguay in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday at Johannesburg's Ellis Park Stadium.
NEW COACH, NEW STYLE: Greece's new national football coach Fernando Santos says the team will adopt a different playing style, signaling a departure from the heavily defensive tactics employed by predecessor Otto Rehhagel.
The 55-year-old Portuguese coach announced he agreed to a two-year deal with the Greek soccer federation on Friday.
He replaces the German Rehhagel, who led Greece to stunning victory in the 2004 European Championship, and stepped down after the country's first-round exit from this World Cup.
NO TIME TO QUIT TOURNAMENT: Six teams made up of people living with HIV/AIDS competed in a mini-tournament Friday to draw attention to foreign donors who seem to be tiring of paying for medication that keeps AIDS patients alive in Africa.
The so-called "Halftime: No Time to Quit" tournament, played on a dusty pitch in downtown Johannesburg, is using the World Cup's buzz and soccer comparisons to sound the alarm.
AIDS groups say foreign funding for life-saving medication (antiretrovirals) is diminishing. These drugs have revolutionized AIDS care, helping people live longer with the virus.
Some 4 million people around the world are alive today thanks to the medication, according to the international aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders, or MSF. There are some 9 million more, however, who remain in urgent need of treatment but do not have access to the drugs.
The teams of men and women from South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe wore jerseys printed with the words "HIV Positive" before running onto the pitch for five-a-side games in the tournament.
Lucky Mngometelu is a father of four and has been living with AIDS since 1995. For nine years his health slowly deteriorated. In 2004, Mngometelu was put on antiretrovirals. And his life was transformed.
"I would have been long, long dead, if it was not for ARVs," the lanky 39-year old from Swaziland said. "I want to show the world that even someone with HIV can play and lead a normal life."
I'm no Maoist, says JU alumnus
Former Jadavpur University (JU) student Debalina Chakrabarty said on Thursday that she was not a member of any Maoist outfit, even as investigators stuck to their guns, saying she is a member of the now-defunct CPI(Maoist) Nandigram zonal committee. This comes even as the rebels' strong presence in Kolkata is being felt: according to CID, there are definite inputs of senior Maoists frequently having met in the city in the last few years.The former student of international relations addressed a press meet on the JU campus, where she came down heavily on police, seeking to brush away all claims about her made by them.
"The police and the state are conspiring against all members of mass organisations and trying to intimidate them by labelling them Maoists. If I had been a member of a banned Maoist organisation, would I have come out in the open to hold a press meet on the university campus? If the police are so sure about my political credentials, why aren't they arresting me?" she said, in the presence of members of other mass organisations.
Incidentally, Debalina and Jayita Das — another JU alumnus — are both members of Matangini Mahila Samity, a mass organisation that had been set up during the land stir in Nandigram.
Police, however, confirmed that Debalina had gone to Sonarpur police station when police detained Siddharta Mondal's wife Sanchita after Siddharta's arrest last week. CID officers, however, shied away from commenting on why they didn't round up Debalina. "It is not mandatory to arrest everyone who is named in an FIR," said DIG CID Anuj Sharma.
Debalina claimed that Siddharta, too, is not a Maoist. "He is a member of a mass association, Krishi O Matsyajibi Adhikar Rakhsha Committee," she said.
Did you think that Maoists are confined to Jangalmahal? Think again. Documents recovered from Maoist leader Narayan, in charge of Nandigram, indicate that Kolkata has been a favourite meeting venue for the rebels. "Maoists consider the city to be safer than other places," said a senior CID officer. Investigators claimed that they have got hold of a letter to Narayan from his party colleague, urging him to change the regular meeting place to somewhere in Kolkata or in the fringes.
Going by the letter, CID officers are now trying to locate the meeting places and identify Maoist sympathisers in the city. "We are trying to extract the details from another Maoist leader, Sachin, now in custody because he knows about the city hideouts," said a CID officer. A diehard Maoist, Sachin has been associated with the rebels for the last two decades. He runs an electronics store from his home at Khadinan more in Howrah's Bagnan. "He never went underground. He used to work for the party in the guise of a local trader," said a CID officer.
Police suspect that Narayan had come from Nandigram to the southern fringes of the city for some group meetings and that he had been looking for fresh recruits to the party. "Narayan and his team recruited more than 10 youths from the city recently," said an investigator. According to police, some political activists had played a role in rounding Narayan up.
Ghana Supporters Aiming For Semi-Final Record
Ghana know that a win tonight would allow them to progress to the semi-finals of the World Cup, making the Black Stars the first African side to reach that stage of the competition.The fans at Soccer City for tonight's match are hoping to be able to celebrate that record after the match.
Amma said, "We can do this and if you look at the support all around us we are bound to spur the boys (Ghana) on to win this game against tough opponents. We know that Uruguay are full of quality, but so are we and being the last African team gives us an added responsibility, we must do well."
John commented to Goal.com, "I can see Ghana winning this match and then going all the way. The confidence has been growing and it is Africa's time to shine, so why not see the Black Stars on top of the world."
Samuel, a fan who made his way to Johannesburg from Accra added, "This World Cup has been amazing thus far, and it will continue to be so for Africa if Ghana can make it to the semi-finals and take the record as the first to do so. It will be a magical night."
Rupert concluded an argument with his friend by saying, "Ghana have what it takes and they have the support of almost everyone here. The record will soon by ours, and Africa will be proud of the Black Stars."
World Cup 2010: Ghana Fans Celebrate Brazil's Exit
Ghana fans see the defeat as a sweet revenge.
By K.N.S Mensah
Jul 2, 2010 12:54:00 PM
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Ghana fans at Soccer City ahead of Germany - Ghana (Goal.com)
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West African nation Ghana erupted in a state of frenzy today when Netherlands defeated former World Champions Brazil to send them crashing out of the 2010 World Cup.
"It's better to face the Dutch than Brazil," Atiku Mohammed told Goal.com in anticipation of a Ghana win against Uruguay tonight.
Pockets of Black Stars fans clad in the national colours were on the streets blasting their vuvuzelas as the final whistle went off.
Ghana is the sole African side remaining in the tournament and a win over Uruguay would make them the first African country to progress to the semi-finals.
"It's good they [Brazil] are out. They caused us problems in Germany 2006 and could have been an impediment in the semi-final. We are winning against Uruguay hands down trust me," Peace Annan said.
"Look this is a hungry Ghana side and we are talking about records here. We must take the lead because we have set that standard," he stated.
"Brazilians are good but they can't take every World Cup. Thank you Netherlands. See you soon and this time we will beat you left right and centre," bragged Salim Nuhu.
Ghana's dream of progressing to the quarter-finals in their maiden World Cup four years ago was dashed by Brazil in a 3-0 drubbing.
The 2010 World Cup is finally upon us, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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- July 2, 2010, 10:10 AM IST
Kolkata Preps for Quarterfinals
By Devin Banerjee
KOLKATA, India—In West Bengal, where Indian football lives and breathes, World Cup fever is raging ahead of this weekend's highly-anticipated quarterfinal match-ups in South Africa.A stroll down Park Street, the Champs-Elysees of West Bengal's capital city, says it all. In Kingfisher's "Moulin Rouge" bar and restaurant, visitors enter through a cardboard cut-out of the World Cup ball and are immediately surrounded by the flags of each of the tournament's participating teams, which hang from poles like they would outside U.N. headquarters.
"You know, we don't have a team, so this is our way of supporting the World Cup," said one of the restaurant's managers. "The people enjoy it."
WSJ/ Devin Banerjee
The 'Moulin Rouge' bar and restaurant in Kolkata.As part of the "Soccer Mania Menu," restaurant-goers choose from a list of cocktails that includes "Crazy Soccer," "Hat-Trick," "Equalizer" and "Samba Magic," each 200 rupees. Or, for 100 rupees, they can opt for the non-alcoholic "mocktail" named "Messi Magic," after Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, a favorite in India.
"Give me that one!" shouted an Indian man at the bar who had already finished several of the alcoholic options and who now thought this reporter was a bartender. "Go Argentina!"
Indeed, both Argentina and Brazil are favorites to advance this weekend among Kolkatans. Across the street, in the window of Giggles gift shop, blue and yellow Brazil jerseys hung in the display next to traditional Indian trinkets and paintings of Indian deities. Inside, only German jerseys and a lone English shirt remained in stock.
"Brazil is the favorite," said a young saleswoman. "Everybody wants the [Brazil] jerseys. Soon, we will just sell the two in the window."
At the Hyundai dealership at the end of the block, people's heads turned from the showroom vehicles to a mock-up of the World Cup trophy near the entrance. The deal: Test-drive a new model and receive a ball signed by Shah Rukh Khan.
"It's been a very attractive promotional offer," said a salesman. "People like football and people like Shah Rukh Khan, so there you go."
And the scene is repeated all over the teaming street. At the ever-populated McDonald's, each of the seven available "extra-value meals" comes with an online registration code that yields the chance to win a trip to South Africa. At Oxford Bookstore, the first item shoppers see when they enter is a four-disk "History of Football" DVD set. Even among the street carts, silver lighters carry the images of Brazil's Kaka and Argentina's Messi.
"In West Bengal, we follow football very closely," said Bimal Maulik, a 50-year-old Kolkata resident. "This weekend will be extremely exciting for many people."
Most bars on and around Park Street will be showing Friday's match between Brazil and the Netherlands and Saturday's match between Argentina and Germany. Managers said they expect to be busy. After all, it seems every Kolkatan has come down with football fever.
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/07/02/kolkata-preps-for-world-cup-quarters/
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Kolkata Preps for Quarterfinals
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Maoists score a goal against Marxists
Hindustan Times - Jun 19, 2010No one can escape the football fever right now — not even the Maoists cocooned inside the forests of West Bengal. While the World Cup is going on in South ...
The Guardian (blog)
World Cup 2010 is king even in India as football fever takes hold
The Guardian (blog) - Jun 9, 2010Kerala, like Goa and Bengal, is very much football country. Half a century ago, when Indian footballers such as Peter Thangaraj, Jarnail Singh and Chuni ...
Indian fans eagerly await the kick-off The Hindu
World Cup 2010: The World Cup Fever Is Rising In The State Of Kerala Goal.com India
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Marketers cash in on football frenzy
Times of India - Namrata Singh, Rupali Mukherjee - Jun 13, 2010On the other hand, Bharti Airtel is hoping that its offerings would enable customers to be a part of the football fever with services like football match ...
The Official Home of Asian Football
Football fever has India in its grip
The Official Home of Asian Football - Holman Brett - Jun 20, 2010Football fever has gripped states of Kerala, Goa, West Bengal and Karnataka with fans going overboard to support their favourite teams. ...
Pancham was a mad fan of Pele: Asha Bhosale
Times of India - Reshma Kelkar Dabholkar - Jun 11, 2010Football fever is on and singer Asha Bhosale is quite kicked about Football World Cup this year. Her love and excitement for the game has compelled her to ...
ESPN STAR Sports
City of Joy erupts once again
ESPN STAR Sports - Abhideep Das - Jun 13, 2010Whether it is the Chief Minister of the state or the common-man living on the streets, everyone will be possessed by football fever. All dinner-table, train ...
FIFA World Cup fever: TV-makers eye 100% sales jump
Sify - Jun 13, 2010PTI Leading television makers, including LG, Samsung and Videocon, are cashing in on football fever and expect as much as a 100 per cent jump in sales ...
Football craze propels LCD sales Republica
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Football makers cheer World Cup fever as sales surge
Hindustan Times - Jun 28, 2010Within India, footballs are traditionally sold in niche markets such as West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while export destinations ...
2 Ugandan children die in house fire while parents watch World Cup football
Gaea Times (blog) - Jun 15, 2010June 12th, 2010 MUMBAI/NEW DELHI/BANGALORE/KOLKATA - With the FIFA World Cup 2010 kicking off in South Africa, football fever has started to grip Indians as ...
India & Football: Catching the football fever
29 Jun 2010, 0231 hrs IST,Latika Khaneja,Every day I am inundated with requests from youngsters looking for opportunities in sports marketing. It is perceived by young management graduates as an ideal career choice enabling them to indulge in their passion for sport and maintain a serious career. However, the tragedy is that so many of them cannot realise their dream. With a paucity of sporting culture, the opportunity to manage them are even less.
India remains a one-sport nation if money power be the criterion of selection, and without the money, the options for sports marketing are limited. The lucrative sporting areas are either government-controlled or the property of media houses. Events and academies require sporting prowess at the highest level. Local heroes marketable enough to render an income significant enough to qualify as a career can be counted on the fingers. Olympic sports come once in four years and till recently we had very little to show for our efforts. The local landscape is dominated by cricket and more cricket.
Yet something very significant has been brewing under the surface of a country best known for its couch potatoes. It is these very coach potatoes that are providing the fillip for an enhanced canvas of sporting interest in the country. It all began with cricket's new and racy avatar—the IPL. By including the best and brightest of cricket and some of India's best known glamour properties, cricket broad-based itself. Soon women and cricket agnostics joined the debate on which team would win and who were the favorites. They thronged the stadiums and allowed themselves to be submerged in the vicarious pleasure of the sport with its wins and losses.
The same wave has enabled the FIFA World Cup, being played in South Africa, to become a front-page story as opposed to being relegated to an insignificant corner of the sports page. The event tends to attract average IPL viewer as it promises the same sideshows of glamour, team politics, gorgeous wives and girlfriends and as much off-screen entertainment as on screen.
Even though our team is not battling it out, television spots are going as high as 2 lakhs per 10 seconds, which is comparable to any Super A cricket tournament. Vodafone and Airtel go from being serious cricket sponsors to being presenting broadcast sponsors for the FIFA. Samsung, Nokia and Hero Honda come on board as associate sponsors.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6103694.cms
Felipe Melo's return eventful in Brazil's loss
Felipe Melo's return from injury started perfectly but ended terribly for Brazil in the 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday.Felipe Melo was doubtful to play because of a left ankle injury that forced him to miss the second-round win over Chile, but he recovered in time to face the Dutch and made a perfect pass that put Robinho in front of the net to open the scoring for Brazil in the 10th minute at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Then he scored an own goal in the 53rd after colliding with goalkeeper Julio Cesar, allowing the Dutch to start its comeback, and was red carded in the 73rd for stepping on Arjen Robben after a foul.
Felipe Melo said he was sad with everything that happened, but didn't think he should be seen as a "villain" in Brazil's loss.
"I'm devastated. It was hard to see the players crying back there," Felipe Melo said after emerging from the changing room. "I have to apologize to the Brazilian fans. I came here thinking about giving Brazil the title, but I'm a human being. Everybody can make mistakes."
Felipe Melo said it was hard for him to describe his feelings.
"I don't have words," he said. "I just called home and my son was crying. I have to apologize.
"It's sad it happened, but my life is not over because of this. I just have to keep doing what I had been doing before," he said.
In the 10th minute, the Juventus defensive midfielder held the ball just long enough near the midfield line, and when Robinho made his move behind the defenders he sent a firm through ball to the edge of the area and Robinho easily one-touched it past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Felipe Melo was one of the first to meet Robinho in the goal celebration, jumping up and down along with the rest of the Brazilians.
But after a long ball was sent into the area by Wesley Sneijder, he stepped in front of Julio Cesar to try to clear it with a header and the goalkeeper bumped into him and missed the ball, which went directly into the net.
"We can't blame one player," Julio Cesar said of Felipe Melo. "When we win everybody wins, and when we lose it's the same thing."
In the second goal by Sneijder in the 68th, it also was Felipe Melo who was just in front of the Dutch playmaker when he headed the ball into the net, failing to mark him properly.
But it got worse after what appeared to be a normal foul on Robben. As the striker was going down, Felipe Melo stepped on his leg with his right foot, receiving a straight red card from the referee.
Felipe Melo had nearly been costly for Brazil just a minute into the second half when he attempted a back heel pass on the defense and it was intercepted by the Dutch attack, which almost scored.
Felipe Melo's main responsibility was on defense, but he began the match creating plays for the strikers and threatening with headers and a few runs up the field. He also took care of business in the back, initially helping contain Sneijder and keeping the Dutch from creating too many dangerous scoring opportunities.
Known for his temper at times, Felipe Melo actually was the one trying to calm down his teammates at times after hard fouls from the Dutch. He did have a few words with the referee on some occasions, but calmly. He applauded a yellow card to Gregory van der Wiel in the second half.
But when he eventually lost his cool it made a big difference, leaving Brazil a man down as it tried to rally back and keep alive its hopes for a record sixth world title.
The decision to play with Felipe Melo was taken only the day of the match, according to Brazil doctors.
The Brazilian sprained his left ankle after a hard tackle by Portuguese defender Pepe in the teams' 0-0 draw in the final group stage match in Durban. Felipe Melo had to be substituted just before halftime because of the injury, which forced him to miss the match against Chile and several practices.
Felipe Melo is coming off a horrible season at Juventus, which acquired him for ?25 million ($31.4 million) from Fiorentina in what was hailed as a failed investment after only a few months.
Argentina vs. Germany worthy of final
After all the trash talking between Germany and Argentina comes the World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday that has all the makings of a final.Forwards Lionel Messi of Argentina and Lukas Podolski of Germany returned to training on the eve of the match, raising hopes both teams cold be at their best.
Messi, the world's greatest player, recovered from a slight cold and "participated in a normal manner in all the scheduled exercises" in Pretoria, team spokesman Andres Ventura said. And Podolski also joined his teammates for an leisurely outing at Green Point Stadium.
For all the sweet moves of Messi and Germany's Mesut Oezil, the wild push-kick-and-shove melee at the end of Germany's penalty shootout quarterfinal victory over Argentina four years ago is still fresh in the mind.
Over the past days, Germany started the mudslinging, and did so with their renowned thoroughness, calling their opponents anything from "impulsive" to "temperamental" and bad losers.
And coach Joachim Loew certainly didn't berate his players for lashing out.
"There is freedom of speech," he said on Friday, adding that the Argentine players happily explore "the limits of legality."
If anything, Loew said, it shows that Germany "has no lack of respect for Argentina."
Coach Maradona has dismissed much of it. "The boys are thinking about getting out on the pitch and getting revenge for 2006," Maradona said.
The point that could well bother Maradona is that playmaker Oezil and strikers like Thomas Mueller and Miroslav Klose, who is likely to win his 100th cap, could put defenders like Martin Demichelis in trouble like they have never seen at this World Cup.
To hold off the pressure, the role of Messi becomes all the more important.
A picture on the Argentines' official website of Friday's closed training session showed Messi moving freely on the pitch, going for a ball together with Juan Sebastian Veron.
The team watched videos of Germany and analyzed its previous matches before training in Pretoria. The players also practiced penalties in case it comes to penalty shootout.
Even if he has not scored yet himself, the Barcelona forward has been instrumental in running up Argentina's 10-2 goal tally with probing runs and crisp passing.
On top of that, Loew knows the depth of the Argentina team. "Their forward line is not Messi alone. There is (Carlos) Tevez, and there are many players who can decide the game."
Argentina has in Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain a striker on form who shares the lead in the scoring with four goals from the three matches he played. If he fails, Tevez proved with a double strike in the 3-1 second-round win over Mexico that he can also easily step in.
After running England ragged in a superb 4-1 victory of creativity and speed, Germany hopes enters the game with some question marks.
Forward Lukas Podolski returned to training Friday after missing a day because of undisclosed muscular problems and he will undergo a late test before Loew will be able to call on him.
"If he fails the test, then we will have to look at another solution," Loew said. "I have no fear when a player is out. I have no worries. There is a good balance in the team."
Striker Cacau also made some runs and passed the ball around after a right thigh injury kept out for the past two days. Still, Loew said it was unlikely he would play against Argentina.
Especially Oezil has been sparkling at 21, showing skills that make him one of the best playmakers at the World Cup. With a slew of young players in their first World Cup, Germany has run up a 9-2 goal average.
Beyond the penalty shootout four years ago, both teams twice met in the World Cup final, with Maradona making the difference in a 3-2 win in 1986 and Germany winning with a late penalty in Rome four years later.
Maradona was a star in both finals, and now as coach, has been nothing less on the sidelines.
"Diego has gone through every experience possible in football and that helps us a lot. If you've got a doubt about something or a question, he knows what to say," midfielder Javier Pastore said.
Brazil blame poor 2nd half for loss to the DutchUSA Today - - 11 minutes ago PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — One bad half was all it took to end Brazil's hopes for a sixth World Cup title. ... Dunga hints he is done with Brazil after WCup lossThe Associated Press - 16 minutes ago PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Dunga has hinted he will not stay on as coach of the Brazilian national team following the elimination to the Netherlands in ... Dutch masters see off BrazilESPN - - 17 minutes ago It has been unforgettable, July 2 in the Netherlands. Not only because it was probably the hottest day this summer, but obviously for the ...
Brazil Vs. Holland: NOT AgainNPR (blog) - - 20 minutes ago Netherlands' supporters celebrate after their team won the quarterfinal soccer match against Brazil in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, ... Football â€" World Cup FridayGlobe and Mail - 22 minutes ago Holland v Brazil, Port Elizabeth, Friday 1500 BST What a way to start the World Cup quarter-finals! Brazil v Holland sounds mighty good on paper and the ... Brazil break Indian hearts after shocking exitSify - 24 minutes ago /Thiruvananthapuram/Panaji, July 2 (IANS) For Indian fans from West Bengal to Kerala, the zing seems to have gone out of the World Cup football as their ... As it happened - Netherlands vs BrazilThe Hindu - - 33 minutes ago That's it from me.... for the time being. I'm also going to be bringing you the next match - Uruguay vs Ghana. So hold on to your hats, catch up on some ... Dunga's Future as Brazil Coach After Losss Will Be Confirmed Later TodayBloomberg - - 38 minutes ago Dunga's future as Brazil coach will be clarified after he speaks with national soccer federation officials. ... Nothing mellow about Brazil villain FelipeYahoo! Eurosport UK - - 40 minutes ago Felipe Melo failed to heed his own father's warnings on Friday when he was sent off for recklessly stamping on Arjen Robben in Brazil's 2-1 World Cup ... Shell-shocked Dunga feels the pain as reign endsAFP - - 40 minutes ago PORT ELIZABETH — Dunga admitted he would have to take the rap for Brazil's World Cup heartbreak after his four-year reign as head coach ended with a ... | Timeline of articlesNumber of sources covering this story
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World Cup DigestSI.com - 43 minutes ago PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa - Soccer's perennial World Cup underachievers from the Netherlands knocked off mighty Brazil on Friday, stamping the Dutch as a ... S.African rand pulls back after Gordhan comments, stocks riseReuters Africa - 2 hours ago JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The South African rand trimmed earlier gains against the dollar on Friday after the Finance Minister raised concerns about economic ... Charles Sale: High jinx fears at England's Royal Bafokeng World Cup baseDaily Mail - - 3 hours ago The management of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus are nervous the curse of England's woeful World Cup will affect their plans for the five-star complex. ... Boys for BrazilSkySports - 4 hours ago After days of conjecture and miles of column inches dedicated to the subject of Fabio Capello's future as England manager the Football Association has moved ... WITNESS-Soccer-World-Cup success left me spellboundReuters Africa - 4 hours ago By Gugulakhe Lourie JOHANNESBURG July 2 (Reuters) - Just a few months ago, many critics said South Africa could never organise the first World Cup on ... World Cup fan arrivals beat estimates, says governmentReuters Canada - - 5 hours ago JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The World Cup in South Africa has attracted far more foreign fans than expected, adding to revenue and the already ... South Africa set to break even on World CupTimes LIVE - 5 hours ago The world Cup will add R38 billion (around US4.9 billion) to South Africa's economy this year — more or less the amount spent by South Africa to host the ... Is SA ready to host Olympics?Independent Online - 5 hours ago South African President Jacob Zuma said on Friday his country was ready to host the Olympics, after the World Cup inspired confidence in the nation's ... World Cup shows govt can do itMail & Guardian Online - 6 hours ago The pessimism that bordered on fierce criticism of the ability of South Africa to successfully host the World Cup has rightfully evaporated after a ... Ghana hold Africa's hopes at World Cup: Danny JordaanOneindia - 6 hours ago Johannesburg, July 2 (ANI): World Cup organizing chief Danny Jordaan has said that Ghana carries Africa's hopes and must do it, as they eye becoming the ... | Timeline of articlesNumber of sources covering this story
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As it happened - Netherlands vs BrazilThe Hindu - - 26 minutes ago That's it from me.... for the time being. I'm also going to be bringing you the next match - Uruguay vs Ghana. So hold on to your hats, catch up on some much needed food and join me... in about two hours. The Samba Boys threw the kitchen sink at the ... Team talk inspired us - SneijderBBC Sport - 1 hour ago Dutch match-winner Wesley Sneijder said a rousing half-time team talk inspired the Netherlands to knock out Brazil at the last-eight stage of the World Cup. The Dutch came from behind to beat 10-man Brazil 2-1 as a Felipe Melo own goal cancelled out ... Favourites Brazil shocked by NetherlandsSify - 1 hour ago A Wesley Sneijder-inspired the Netherlands beat 10-man Brazil 2-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth Friday to reach the World Cup football semifinals. Sneijder now has three goals and is emerging as one of the players of the ...
Dunga takes blame for Brazil lossBBC Sport - 1 hour ago Brazil manager Dunga has taken full responsibility for his country's World Cup exit following their 2-1 quarter-final defeat by the Netherlands. A second-half own goal from Felipe Melo cancelled out Robinho's opener before Wesley Sneijder's 68th-minute ... Turkish Airlines Top of the Match: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)Goal.com - 38 minutes ago The Goal.com worldwide team of editors have selected the Dutch playmaker as their top of the match for his performance against Brazil, which has set up a semi-final meeting against either Uruguay or Ghana. The Inter star displayed moments of brilliance ... Netherlands dump out BrazilRediff - 1 hour ago Five-time champions Brazil made a shock exit from the FIFA World Cup with a 1-2 defeat to the Netherlands in an ill-tempered quarter-final match which saw Felipe Melo being sent off in Port Elizabeth on Friday. With the win, the Dutch took revenge of ... Dutch celebrate World Cup win over BrazilAFP - 1 hour ago THE HAGUE — Ecstatic Dutch football supporters took to the streets Friday, singing, dancing and waving orange flags to celebrate their team's World Cup quarter-final victory over Brazil. Egging on their team in the dying minutes of the match with ... Sneijder eyes glory after shock winESPN - - 1 hour ago By Soccernet staff Wesley Sneijder believes Netherlands possess a "unique chance" of reaching the World Cup final after coming from a goal down to shock Brazil on Friday afternoon. Robinho's early goal put Brazil in firm control of the quarter-final in ... World Cup 2010: Dunga steps down after Brazil lose to HollandThe Guardian - 1 hour ago The Brazil coach Dunga has said he will not continue in the job after his side lost 2-1 to Holland in their World Cup quarter-final today. • Follow the Guardian's World Cup team on Twitter • Sign up to play our daily Fantasy Football game • Stats ... Shell-shocked Dunga feels the pain as reign endsAFP - - 34 minutes ago PORT ELIZABETH — Dunga admitted he would have to take the rap for Brazil's World Cup heartbreak after his four-year reign as head coach ended with a quarter-final defeat at the hands of the Netherlands. "We are all responsible for this situation but I ... | Timeline of articlesNumber of sources covering this story
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As it happened - Netherlands vs Brazil
That's it from me.... for the time being. I'm also going to be bringing you the next match - Uruguay vs Ghana. So hold on to your hats, catch up on some much needed food and join me... in about two hours.
The Samba Boys threw the kitchen sink at the Dutch in the last 10 minutes but De Jong and Van Bommel marshalled the backline brilliantly. Sneijder wasted a glorious opportunity at the death to score a brace but that will not even be a footnote when this match is discussed again.
This has to rank as one of the greatest come from behind victories for the Dutch. The Brazilians' new found love for cautiousness mixed with physical aggression has been shown the door by the Netherlands.
The Dutch players are all smiles. The Brazilians look like they seen a ghost.
It was Zidane and Henry who combined to beat the Brazilians the last World Cup. It was Robben and Sneijder who have combined to down the Selecao this time.
The final whistle is blown. Netherlands have done it. They have beaten the five-time World Champions Brazil - The team ranked No. 1 by FIFA.
In the final minute now..
90+1 Huntelaar wastes a few valuable seconds by holding the ball near the right corner flag.
We are into extra time. Robinho, meanwhile, shoots from a difficult angle.
89th minute Alves lines-up a free-kick from 22 yards but his shot is blocked by the wall.
Huntelaar comes on for Van Persie.
85th minute Kaka, at the other end, goes on a little run down the left but he cannot cut inside much and his shot, from a difficult angle from near the six-yard box is deflected behind for a corner
84th minute Sneijder plays in Van Persie, who tries to trick his way past the last defender and Cesar. After making a yard of space, with the ball still near his right-foot, Sneijder takes it off Van Persie and hits a first-time effort but Cesar goes low and pouches it.
82nd minute A Brazilians corner goes right across the six-yard box with no one able to take advantage. Kuyt is first on the scene and plays it behind for another Brazilian corner.
80th minute Van Persie is policing a free-kick from about 25 yards. But his left-footed strike, from the right goes over the bar.
79th minute The Dutch breakaway at pace. Sneijder, near the halfway line from the left, cuts inside before passing to Van Persie. Van Persie tries to play in Kuyt with a perfect ball but it is overhit nad is held by Cesar.
76th minute It's all beginning to explode. Ooijer gets yellow-carded for time-wasting.
74th minute Robben is at the receiving end again, but he won't this constant hacking. Felipe Melo, after bringing him down, stamps on Robben. You can't do that when the referee is watching and produces a straight red.
68th minute A corner from Robben is flicked on by Kuyt on the near post and is glanced delightfully into the back of the net by Sneijder. Not really Total Football from the Dutch. But Sneijder and Co. won't care. They are in dreamland. Has the World's No. 1 team got an answer? The goal has set-up a cracking finale.
66th minute Kaka has a shot from the edge of the box going agonisingly wide of Stekelenburg's left-post.
63rd minute A loose, jumping ball is not cleared and Van Persie has an impulsive left-footed strike from the edge of the box. But his shot is blocked.
62nd minute That's a change meant to keep this match a 11 on 11. GIlberto Melo replaces Bastos.
Some attacking possession from the Dutch - especially down the right where Robben is getting a lot of joy.
Van Persie is on his feet again and has not been substituted.
55th minute Van Persie is down and is in a lot of pain. Not a good sign that. He has been afflicted with a lot of injuries.
52nd minute Robben again earns a foul of Bastos who comes in very late. The Dutch want the referee to send Bastos off but the referee shows no card. From the free-kick, Robben plays a short-pass to Sneijder's whose left-footed effort takes a touch of Melo before nestling in the back of the net. Massive mistake that from Brazil. Sneijder took the free-kick. He sent down Robben down the right but Robben again played Sneijder, who cut in marginally before electing to cross. Melo and Cesar came for the same ball. It's catostrophe for the Brazilians. Dunga will be livid.
50th minute A promising Dutch move comes to nothing. Kuyt and Van Persie are involved before the latter tees up Sneijder. But the Inter MIlan man's left-footed effort from 30-yards goes well wide.
47th minute Van Der Wiel goes down in the hope of a free-kick to the Dutch but the referee does not get conned. Brazil get the free-kick while Van Der Wiel is yellow-carded for diving.
46th minute Robben miscontrols a touch on the run and it scoops up for Cesar to pouch safely.
The second-half is underway. Brazil doing the honours. No changes at half-time.
Tomas Berdych - the giant killer from Wimbledon - has dumped Novak Djokovic. The Czech Republican now awaits the winner of Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal in Sunday's summit clash.
The Dutch do have some attacking options - led by Van der Vaart - but the Brazilians have looked rock solid at the back. Can they find a way past this very effective battering ram? Join me in five minutes for all the second-half action.
Brazil have flowed with controlled aggression and almost scored the goal of the tournament but Kaka was stopped by Stekelenburg. At the other end, Van Persie and Robben have tried to fashion some openings but to no avail.
The half-time whistle blows.
45+1: Robben dances in from the right but is hesitant to pull the trigger and is closed by an army of Brazilian players. That's the bigegst cul-de-sac in the stadium right now. At the other end, Maicon shoots from the edge of the box but it goes behind. Maicon screams for a corner but the referee says. goal-kick. Turns out Maicon was right. The referee has done a disservice to Stekelenburg but the Ornaje stopper won't mind that.
Just stoppage time to go. Brazil have completely policed the Dutch up till now.
43rd minute More troubles for the Dutch. This time, Van Persie mops up to leave Maicon on the deck. But Maicon's free-kick, from the right, is cleared.
42nd minute The Brazilian charge, it's like a bullet-train whenever it comes into the attacking third, is halted by van Bommel.
40th minute Van Persie, who's again been average drops deep to get the ball and passes to Van der Wiel. But van Der Wiel runs into a cul-de-sac.
37th minute This will get interesting now. Robben wins a free-kick off Bastos, whose troubles puts him into the book.
36th minute Van Persie takes a hit on the head but wins a free-kick 35-yards from goal. But Sneijder's kick lands safely into Cesar's hands.
The Dutch are clearly rattled and there have been some long balls (yes, hoofs from the Dutch) played to Kuyt and Van Persie.
31st minute Stunning football from Brazil. Robinho escapes the attention of De Jong and finds Fabiano, who stationed himself just near the edge of the box. Fabiano, with a swagger, back-heels Robinho's pass to to Kaka. His shot, after making a yard of space, looks like hitting the roof of the net but a flying Stekelenburg puts it behind.
28th minute More forward moment from Brazil. Kaka, on the right, is fouled by Ooijer. The free-kick, put in by Alves, finds Fabiano but his free-header goes over the bar from about 15-yards out.
25th minute Alves, from near the right byline, tries to escape the attentions of Kuyt before making a yard of space and putting in a low cross across the six-yard box. Juan, who escapes his marker, blazes it over the bar. That's what everyone likes to call a "centre back's" finish.
22nd minute Van Bommel has had a couple of attacking runs into the attacking third but it comes to nothing.
Has been very short of form, Van Persie.
16th minute Bastos catches Robben to give the Dutch a free-kick from about 30-yards. But the free-kick is launched into orbit by van Persie. His last goal from a free-kick, if my memory serves me right, was against Sunderland at the Emirates two seasons back.
14th minute Heitinga goes into the book for taking down Robinho, who was trying to run onto a Maicon overhead pass. Some early nerves for the Dutch.
10th minute A defence splitting pass from Melo finds Robinho, who has the freedom of the Dutch penalty box, finishing calmly past Stekelenburg. Great pass from Melo, composed finish from Robinho. The Samba Boys are in town. Ooijer, who was the last minute replacement, played Robinho onside.
8th minute A delightful Brazilian move sees Robinho put the ball into the net. WHile Robinho is off to celebrate, the flag goes up. Moments later, a marauding Maicon tries to find Fabiano but his cross is overcooked.
5th minute More touches for Robben. From the right he tries to feed in Van Persie but his ball was miles wide of the Arsenal forward.
3rd minute And things are already heating up. Robinho and De Jong staring into each others' face.
1st minute An early ball from Kuyt, who as expected starts from the left, aimed towards Van Persie goes straight to Cesar.
The match has kicked-off.
The anthems are over and the players are shaking hands. A huge banner: "SAY NO TO RACISM" has been unfurled. Before the anthems, the captains Gio and Lucio read out anti-racism messages.
Rise, for the national anthems.
The players are out on the field. Surely a blow to Holland that, the late injury.
Breaking News: Mathijsen, who picked an injury during warming-up, has been replaced by Ooijer.
Some key battles which could decide the contest:-
The ability of Gio to keep the marauding Maicon at bay.
Robben - who could line up on the right hand side again with Kuyt being shifted to the left - against Bastos.
The raw power of Lucio against the smart trickery of van Persie.
The ability of the two water-carriers in both the midfields - Silva and Melo for the Selecao and De Jong and van Bommel for the Dutch - to keep out the opposition's attacking midfielders.
And how about this one, Real Madrid reject against one of Real Madrid's latest poster boys: Sneijder against Kaka.
Route to the last eight:-
Netherlands:- Beat Denmark 2-0, Beat Japan 1-0, Beat Cameroon 2-1 and Beat Slovakia 2-1.
Brazil:- Beat North Korea 2-1, Beat Ivory Coast 3-1, Beat Portugal 0-0, Beat Chile 3-0.
Netherlands are only one of the two sides - the other being Argentina - which gained maximum points from the group stages.
Detailed Team News:-
Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg, Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong, Arjen Robben 9-Robin van Persie.
Brazil: Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Dani Alves, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano.
For the Samba Boys, midfield general Felipe Melo replaces the suspended Ramires.
The team news is in. And there are largely no surprises for the 'Oranje'. Robin van Persie, who had a verbal disagreement with Bert van Marwijk after he was substituted against Slovakia, keeps his place ahead of Klaas Jan-Huntelaar while Arjen Robben makes his second start of the tournament.
The footballing cultures of Holland and Brazil have been built around eye catching, free flowing football. But the coaches of the two teams - Dunga (Brazil) and Bert van Marwijk (Netherlands) - have their ethos based on winning even if it means dispensing with age-old identities. Saying that, both the teams have played some jaw-dropping football so far.
This match has all the makings of a smashing box office hit. At the same time, this match has the potential to be a damp squib.
Hello and welcome to our live updates between the Netherlands and Brazil.
Keywords: 2010 World Cup, Netherlands vs Brazil
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World Cup 2010: Team talk inspired us - Sneijder
Sneijder (number 10) scored the winner from a corner |
Dutch match-winner Wesley Sneijder said a rousing half-time team talk inspired the Netherlands to knock out Brazil at the last-eight stage of the World Cup.
The Dutch came from behind to beat 10-man Brazil 2-1 as a Felipe Melo own goal cancelled out Robinho's opener, before Sneijder headed in the winner.
"In the changing room at half-time, everyone said to each other 'let's give everything'," said Sneijder.
"We pressured their defence and to score twice was fantastic."
Sneijder's header from a corner gave the Netherlands the lead on 68 minutes, but matters were made easier for them five minutes later when Melo received a red card for stamping on winger Arjen Robben.
The conclusion of the quarter-final was in contrast to the beginning where Brazil started at a furious pace, going close through Kaka and they had several other chances to add to their 10th-minute lead.
* | 606: DEBATE I consider the result achieved by Holland earlier a triumph for football groovyamin09 |
"We could have lost it in the first 15 minutes," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said.
"At half-time, I made it very clear to the players. I told them time and time again, 'You have to play your own game. You have to have patience against Brazil.'
"When the [own goal] was scored, we just got better and better."
The victory for the Dutch was their first against Brazil since the 1974 World Cup when Johan Cruyff led them to a 2-0 win in the second round.
And Sneijder, 26, said: "It was an amazing game. I think we showed the whole world how we can play. Finally we won, we beat Brazil.
"This was my first header here, I don't think it will happen again, but it was great. The ball slipped on my bald head and went into the net, a great feeling.
"If you can eliminate Brazil, one of the best teams in this championship the first feeling is relief, we always believed in it.
"Brazil have a strong defence but nonetheless we scored two goals. We did a great job - just so happy going on to the semis, it's a moment to savour - from tomorrow we will concentrate on the semi-final."
see also
Dunga takes blame for Brazil loss
02 Jul 10 | World Cup 2010
World Cup quarter-final photos
02 Jul 10 | World Cup 2010
Team tracker and Predictor
27 May 10 | World Cup 2010
World Cup venues
05 Dec 09 | World Cup 2010
related bbc links:
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil
BBC Languages World Cup trivia quiz
related internet links:
Fifa World Cup 2010
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
FROM OTHER SPORT SITES
Sify Netherlands hit back to dump out Brazil - 35 mins ago
DNA India FIFA World Cup: Netherlands eliminate favourites Brazil - 36 mins ago
Propeller Netherlands beats Brazil, 2-1 - 38 mins ago
The Sun Holland 2 Brazil 1 - 56 mins ago
Mail Online UK WORLD CUP 2010: Holland 2 Brazil 1: Dutch destroyers march on - 1 hr ago
About these results
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8784598.stm
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